Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and Technical Education prepares Montana K-12 students for a wide range of careers and post secondary education programs. Career and Technical Education courses are found in Montana's middle schools, high schools and career centers.

Career and Technical Education courses provide students with life and employment skills to make them highly desirable employees in today's modern workforce. Skills learned in K-12 Career and Technical Education courses prepare students to go directly into the workforce or to continue their education with a much higher degree of focus and direction for their career goals.

Montana has over 500 approved Career and Technical Education programs and over 800 certified teachers in Agriculture, Business, Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences. More than 150 Montana high schools participate in the federal Carl D. Perkins and state Career and Technical Education grant programs to support and improve their Career and Technical Education programs.

TEACHING TO STUDENTS' STRENGTHS:
Our latest video, filmed on location with teachers and students participating in Math-in-CTE and Literacy-in-CTE at Helena High School, Helena, Montana, and with NRCCTE staff at our headquarters here at the University of Louisville, describes our approach to revitalizing the field of CTE through high-quality research and professional development models that give people the tools they need to make good decisions about their programs, curricula, and instruction. Watch the video on our YouTube channel. From the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education

Additional Resources

Agricultural Education is a sequential set of course offerings for students in grades 7-12. The program is designed to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences in and about agriculture. Ag Ed prepares students for further education, self-employment, entry-level jobs, and consumer awareness in the agriculture industry. Vocational Agriculture, as it was formerly called, was started in Montana in 1917 with the passing of the federal Smith-Hughes Vocational Act. Curriculums in Ag Ed may contain: Ag Business, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Leadership, Mechanics, Natural Resources, Plant Science, and Wildlife Management. Most programs consist of three major components: classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) and membership in the FFA. Quality programs are conducted on a year-round basis with students actively engaged in educational activities over the summer months.

2015-2016 Montana Ag Ed Programs by FFA Districts

Big
Muddy

Eastern

Glacier

Judith
Basin

Bainville

Culbertson

Fairview

Froid

Hinsdale

Lambert

Medicine Lake

Missouri Valley
(Wolf Point)*

Nelson Ag Academy

Opheim

Plentywood

Richey

Savage

Sidney

Wolf Point

Baker

Broadus

Ekalaka

Forsyth

Miles City

Jordan

Plevna

Browning

Cascade

Choteau

CJI

Conrad

Dutton

Fairfield

Great Falls

Shelby

Simms

Sunburst

Big Sandy

Chinook

Denton

Geraldine

Grass Range

Harlem

Hobson

Judith Gap

Lewistown

Malta

Moore

Roy

Stanford

Winifred

Southeastern

Southern

Southwestern

Western

Busby

Colstrip

Custer

Hardin

Huntley Project

Hysham

Lodge Grass

Melstone

Rosebud

Roundup

Shepherd

Absorokee

Billings

Columbus

Joliet

Laurel

Park City

Belgrade

Big Timber

Clyde Park

Gardiner

Livingston

Corvallis

Deer Lodge

Kalispell

Missoula

Ronan

St. Regis

Stevensville

Victor

Student Group - FFA

FFA is a Montana youth organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Business and Marketing Education

There are in excess of 165 Business and Marketing Education programs and 280 teachers in
the public high schools of Montana. These programs and teachers are dedicated to the preparation of students for a world-class workforce. Through communication, professional development, and coordination of talent, a determined effort is under way to make Montana a great place for students to meet their career goals and for employers to be confident in the relevance of skills being taught and learned.

A showcase for Business and Marketing Education Programs are our Career and Technical Student Organizations. These organizations are Business Professionals of America and DECA. CTSOs provide students with soft skills (leadership, character, and community service competencies), as well as competitive events that build on sound content and skill development.

In Accomplishing the Objectives, Business Education Seeks to:

Strengthen the basic skillslistening, speaking, and writing and computing, problem-solving, and computer-related

Strengthen each individuals self-concept and desire to succeed

Formulate plans to ensure continued educational growth, whether it be formal or informal

Objectives of Business Education:

Provide occupational competence which enables an individual to procure a job for which he or she is qualified and to formulate and implement a career development plan which is responsive to personal and technological changes

Develop positive interpersonal and leadership skills

Develop economic competence to enable the individual to be a productive citizen and wise
consumer of resources, goods, and services

2015-2016 CTE Student Participation Reports—NOW COLLECTED from TEAMS
The CTE Student Participation Report information used for CTE program approval and CTE State funding allocations will be extracted from the TEAMS information already submitted and on file at the OPI. Please verify your data in TEAMS. The deadline for changes to be made is March 15, 2016. See more information HERE.

Family & Consumer Sciences

Our Mission:
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education helps prepare students for family life, work life, and careers in Family and Consumer Sciences by providing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Our Vision:
Family and Consumer Sciences Education empowers individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working
in a diverse global society. Our unique focus is on families, work and their interrelationships.

Overview: In 2013-2014, Montana had 102 approved FCS high school programs taught by 135 FCS teachers serving 7,800 students. FCS programs enable students to acquire broad,
transferable skills for employment and personal life as well as job-specific skills in careers related to early childhood development, education,
social and human services, food production and management, hospitality and tourism, apparel and interior design, and entrepreneurship.
FCS programs can also be found in middle schools across the state. The National Standards for FCS can be found at www.nasafacs.org

Big Sky Pathways: Family & Consumer Sciences content identifies with multiple Career Cluster areas. In Montana, Big Sky Pathways between secondary
FCS programs and post-secondary institutions have been created in the following Career Cluster areas:

Montana Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is the student leadership organization for FCS Education.
FCCLA provides students with opportunities to attain knowledge, skills, and leadership characteristics necessary to succeed in life
and careers through Family and Consumer Sciences. In 2013-14, Montana FCCLA had 71 chapters and 1,160 members.
For more information, please visit our website at www.mtfccla.org.

This bill is an allocation of $1 million over the biennium to enhance student access to Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
by increasing the staffing capacity of the six state organizations and providing financial support for student activities.
This structure is modeled on the success of FFA. In FY 2012, Montana CTSOs served 6,287 students through seven state organizations.
The goal is to increase student participation each year of the biennium to result in increased student participation and membership value.

Why HB 86 was successful

Students enrolled in three (3) or more credits of career and technical education courses throughout their high school career have a 96.8% graduation rate (2011-12 Reporting Year)

Student participation in CTSOs provides real-world application to academic subjects so they are better prepared for college and the workforce.

CTSOs offer access to regional, state, and national-level competitions, giving students numerous leadership and career opportunities.

CTSOs get students involved in their local communities through many different volunteer projects.

As a part of the Graduation Matters Montana program that is a focused effort to increase the number of students who graduate prepared for college and careers. CTSOs offer every high school student in Montana the opportunity to develop positive relationships, leadership skills, and guidance to a relevant course of study and career exploration.

Industrial Trades & Technology Education

VISION
Industrial Trades and Technology Education programs provide a comprehensive and technological learning experience to prepare students to become productive citizens in an ever-changing society.MISSION
The mission of Industrial Trades and Technology Education is to prepare students for successful careers by building a solid foundation of the required knowledge and skills that lead to careers in industrial, trades and technology.SCOPE
Industrial Trades and Technology Education is a study of technology and industry, which provides an opportunity for students to learn about the processes and knowledge related to Industrial Trades and Technology that are needed to solve problems and extend human capabilities. The strength of Industrial Trades and Technology Education is that of a hands-on approach that adds an emphasis of the technological nature of life and industry.

Nationally, the majority of industrial trade area employers report a huge shortage of skilled workers, with the prospects of filling thousands of current or new, well-paying jobs becoming a major crisis as new technologies emerge and current employees reach retirement age.

In Montana, there are 119 secondary schools offering numerous individual courses within the four clusters and pathway areas served by Industrial, Trades and Technology Education Programs.

The Career Cluster areas are:

The following list of two and four year colleges offer one or more Associate Degree or Certificate programs with the Career Cluster areas:

Grades 5-8: Exploring industrial, trades and technology (or similar title) courses with high-interest units that introduce students to industry and technology and heighten their interest in this field of study.

Grades 9-12: A sequence of relevant courses, organized around the clusters and pathways served, with emphasis on pursuing postsecondary degrees, training, apprenticeships, or industry certification.

Instructors must carry proper secondary certification with an endorsement appropriate to the subject area to teach Industrial Trades and Technology education coursework, as determined by the board of public education.

Integration of related Math, Science, Communication, competencies must be included in the program.
Planned activities for the enhancement of student personal, career and leadership skills are strengthened by membership in the following student organizations:

Skills USA- activities provide a quality education experience for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communication skills. It emphasizes total quality of work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

It is strongly suggested that Industrial Trades and Technology Education Instructors maintain current membership in state and national professional organizations appropriate to the instructional fields in which they teach such as:

Report Cards

In accordance with The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 Federal Grant, all Montana high schools who receive Perkins funds are required to meet at least 90 percent of a state adjusted level of performance for any of the core indicators of performance as described in Sec. 113(b) (3) of Perkins IV.

The state goals for each core indicator are determined by the United States Department of Education.

If a school's score falls below the State minimum (Threshold Target) for three consecutive years, the Carl D. Perkins Federal Grant requires the school to develop an improvement plan to address how the school plans to increase their scores in the core indicator they missed. A Small Schools Exemption – ten (10) CTE Concentrators or less – unfortunately, cannot apply to Perkins Performance Indicators. All schools receiving Perkins, regardless of their CTE Concentrator total, are required to develop an improvement plan.

In order for schools to know exactly how they measure up, Christy Hendricks, CTE/Perkins Data Control Specialist, has created 'Report Cards' for each school by LEA. She has also created 'Report Cards' by Class Size as well as 'Report Cards' by CIP, Classification of Instructional Programs.

If your school is not listed in the ‘Individual School 3-year report card’, it is because the school has less than 10 CTE Concentrators in all 3 years.

The Office of Public Instruction is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscriminatory access to all our programs and services.
For information or to file a complaint, contact the OPI Title IX/EEO, ADA Coordinator, Tom Antonick at (406) 444.3161 or tantonick@mt.gov